It was released on July 16, 1990, via EMI USA.

The album also received production contributions from Prince Paul, Vandy C, and Chad Elliott.

[2][3] Despite the album not reaching the Billboard charts, its two singles, "The Originators" and "A Groove (This Is What U Rap 2)," peaked at No.

18, respectively, on the Hot Rap Songs chart.

[4] Joshua Clover, in his book 1989: Bob Dylan Didn’t Have This to Sing About, called the album "vital, serious, deeply musical, with playful lyrics that come at varying speeds, sometimes blunt and heavy on the beat, sometimes syncopated and sudden, looking for a way to slip past any defense.